“Mechanical grip should have been higher. You know what the result will be? The cars will be harder to drive, I’m thinking of oversteering problems, and you won’t see overtaking,” Massa said. “If the expectations were for more overtaking it will be a letdown. That’s how it is. There will be more chances to make mistakes, so more varied situations. But not overtaking. Let’s hope we won’t see serious accidents.”

While most drivers have welcomed the changes, Massa insisted the new rules will lead to more accidents.

“It’s less safe, it’s easier to go off-track. If you run over some oil and you lose grip, there’s nothing you can do,” said the Brazilian. “And we haven’t run in the wet yet. On the wet everything becomes more dangerous.